&lt;i&gt;Send announcements to reston@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Thursday for the following week's paper. Photos/artwork encouraged. For additional listings, visit www.connectionnewspapers.com.&lt;/i&gt;

&lt;b&gt;Thursday/Dec. 3&lt;/b&gt;

Open Mic for Bands Night. 9 p.m. at Jimmy's Tavern, 697 Spring St., Old Town Herndon (on the Corner of Elden and Spring Streets). Bands will receive 30 minutes to play, and must pre-sign with Andre’ Love at soulcraftmusic@yahoo.com or 703-984-9114. Walk–ins will only be accepted if time permits. All types of music welcomed. 703-435-5467.

David Kitchen Band CD Release Party and Emma Bailey. M&S Grill, Reston Town Center. 703787-7766 or www.goosecreekmusic.com.

Santa Arrives by Barge. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Lake Anne, Reston. Free family fun with entertainment, a petting zoo, holiday market and the arrival of Santa by barge to meet children on the plaza at 12 p.m.

Reston Rotary is sponsoring horse drawn carriage rides at the Reston Town Center, 12 noon – 4 p.m. The carriage accommodates from 4 to 6 adults, and the rides take a quarter-hour, including loading and unloading. The start of the circular route is in front of Talbot’s on Market Street, unless weather requires an alternative base. The rides cost $5 per person older than five.

Flatpicking guitarist Doc Watson with banjoist David Holt and grandson Richard Watson, performing "Hills of Home." 8 p.m. at George Mason University's Center for the Arts Concert Hall, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. Traditional Appalachian roots with a variety of American musical genres including bluegrass, country, gospel and blues. Adults $21-$42. Youth through grade 12, half price when accompanied by an adult. Charge by phone at 888-945-2468 or www.gmu.edu/cfa.

The 20th Annual Model Train Display. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum, 11200 Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station. Many different gauge model trains will be running in the main building, caboose and on the grounds. Enjoy hot chocolate and a gingerbread man. $5 adults, $1 children. 703-425-9225.

Holiday Homes Tour of Herndon. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Five houses located in Herndon's historic districts will be featured on the tour. Tickets available in advance at the Herndon Dulles Visitor's Center and the Herndon Florist for $10, $15 the day of the tour. Herndon Dulles Visitor's Center, Inc., 703-437-6366.

Charity Dog Wash Benefiting the German Shepherd. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Bark and Bubbles Dog Wash, 795 Center St., Herndon. Half the proceeds will go to the rescue. German Shepherds will also be available for adoption. 703-437-9274 or www.shepherdrescue.org.

Juvenile Arthritis Carnival. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. Hosted by the George Mason University chapter of Alpha Omicron Pi and the Arthritis Foundation, Metropolitan Washington Chapter. Admission $5, free to children under age 12. Food, games and prizes. Proceeds from the event will support the Arthritis Foundation’s Juvenile Arthritis Network. C ontact Katie Sperberg, 202-537-6800, ext. 3339 or ksperberg@arthritis.org. http://metropolitanwashington.arthritis.org.

Virginia Opera: The Daughter of the Regiment. 2 p.m. George Mason University Concert Hall, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. $48-$98. Pre-Performance Discussion held 45 minutes prior to the performance. 703-993-8794.

Master Singers of Virginia: From Chant to Carol: Christmas Music based on Gregorian chant and plainsong. Lecture at 6:15 p.m., concert at 7 p.m. at Church of the Epiphany, 3301 Hidden Meadow Drive, Herndon. $18 adults, $15 students and seniors. www.msva.org or 703-655-7809.

The 20th Annual Model Train Display. 12-4 p.m. at the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum, 11200 Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station. Many different gauge model trains will be running in the main building, caboose and on the grounds. $5 adults, $1 children. 703-425-9225.

PackPower Tour with Cesar Millan, Dog Whisperer. 5:30 p.m. at George Mason University Patriot Center, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. Event includes Washington Humane Society Blanket & Towel Drive, where individuals are encouraged to bring new and gently used blankets and towels to the venue beginning at 3:30 p.m. Tickets $39.50-$150, at www.ticketmaster.com or at 703-573-SEAT. 703-993-3000 or www.patriotcenter.com.

Colvin Run Community Center Weekly Dance. 7 p.m. at Colvin Run Schoolhouse, 10201 Colvin Run Road, Great Falls. $10. www.colvinrun.org.

Reston Garden Club Meeting. 1 p.m. at Lake Anne Community Center. The attendees will make floral arrangements in holiday mugs to be donated to Cameron Glen Care Center. Participants are asked to bring one or two mugs. www.restongardenclub.org.

The Gift of Murder: Local Authors Share Short Stories. 6:45 p.m. Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston. Three local authors whose work is featured in the anthology, The Gift of Murder, will speak and answer questions about writing mysteries. 703-689-2700.

Artist Reception for Jim Kirby. 7-9 p.m. at ArtSpace, 750 Center St., Herndon. Free. The exhibit, Home for the Holidays: 20 Years of Herndon Photography, will run through Sunday, Jan. 17. 703-956-6590 or www.artspaceherndon.com.

&lt;b&gt;Friday/Dec. 11&lt;/b&gt;

Pianist George Winston's "The Winter Show." 8 p.m. at George Mason University Center for the Arts Concert Hall, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. Adults $21-$42. Youth through grade 12, half price when accompanied by an adult. Charge by phone at 888-945-2468 or www.gmu.edu/cfa. www.georgewinston.com.

Roosevelt, Truman and the Founding of Israel. 8 p.m. at the Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation, 1441 Wiehle Ave., Reston. Speakers will be Allis and Ronald Radosh, co-authors of A Safe Haven: Harry Truman and the Founding of Israel. Free and open to the public. 703-437-7733 or www.nvhcreston.org.

&lt;b&gt;Friday/Dec. 18&lt;/b&gt;

Natalie MacMaster: Christmas in Cape Breton. 8 p.m. at George Mason University's Center for the Arts Concert Hall, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. Celtic melodies and classic Christmas carols. Tickets are $23-$46. Youth through grade 12, half price when accompanied by an adult. Charge by phone at 888-945-2468 or www.gmu.edu/cfa.

Santa’s Workshop. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Herndon Community Center, 814 Ferndale Ave., Herndon. Holiday fun for children ages 3 and up, to include a visit with Santa, holiday tattoos, games and lunch. $7 per child, $3 per adult (if eating lunch). 703-787-7300 or www.herndon-va.gov.

Breakfast with Santa. 9:30 a.m. at the McLean Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean. $10 per person for McLean district residents, $15 per person for all others. Age 2 or younger are free. Advance registration required, no walk-ins permitted. www.mcleancenter.org or 703-790-0123, TTY: 711.

Colvin Run Christmas Ball. 9 p.m. at Colvin Run Schoolhouse, 10201 Colvin Run Rd., Great Falls. Live music by The Helmut Licht band. $15 dance, $5 lesson. 703-795-2003 or www.colvinrun.org.